Friday, May 6, 2011

CAIRO (AP) -- Al-Qaida is confirming the death of Osama bin Laden and promising retaliation.

In a statement posted on militant websites today, al-Qaida says Americans' happiness will soon "turn to sadness" and "their blood will be mingled with their tears."

The message stresses that al-Qaida will live on, saying it will remain "a curse chasing the Americans and their agents, following them outside and inside their countries."

The statement, dated May 3 and signed by "the general leadership" of al-Qaida, is the first word from the terror network since bin Laden was killed by U.S. commandos Monday in Pakistan.

It also calls on the people of Pakistan to rise up in revolt against its leaders, and says an audio message bin Laden recorded a week before his death will be issued soon.

The statement's authenticity could not be independently confirmed, but it was posted on websites where al-Qaida traditionally puts out its messages.

(Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved.)